Part 6. Present plate boundary seismic, volcanic and kinematic processes: Distribution of underthrust lithosperic slabs and focal mechanisms – Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands region

Abstract

Studies of the spatial distribution of shallow earthquakes define the present day plate boundaries. In the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands region (PNGS) these are well determined and indicate a mozaic of several small plates each moving relatively to the other (see fig. 1). Some of the boundaries are zones of plate convergence where lithospheric material is being thrust (or sinks) deep into the mantle. These regions are indicated by earthquakes occurring at depths greater than 100 km.